You may find that email drafts you create in the new Outlook for Windows do not appear on your other devices. This happens when the cloud draft feature is disabled or misconfigured. Your drafts are saved only to your local computer instead of your Microsoft 365 mailbox. This article explains how to enable cloud draft sync and resolve common sync failures.
Key Takeaways: Fixing Draft Sync in New Outlook
- Settings > General > Drafts: The primary toggle to save drafts to your Microsoft 365 cloud mailbox for access on all devices.
- File > Account Settings > Account Settings > Repair: Fixes account connection issues that can prevent cloud features like draft sync from working.
- Windows Search > Indexing Options > Advanced > Rebuild: Resolves local search problems that may make synced drafts temporarily invisible in your folder list.
Why Cloud Drafts Stop Syncing in the New Outlook
The new Outlook application uses a modern architecture that relies on cloud services. By default, it should save your email drafts directly to a dedicated folder in your Microsoft 365 mailbox. This allows the draft to sync across Outlook on the web, Outlook mobile, and other Outlook for Windows installations.
Sync fails when the cloud draft setting is turned off. In this state, drafts are stored in a local file on your PC’s hard drive. These local drafts are inaccessible from any other device. The setting can be disabled manually or sometimes reset during a major application update.
Other technical issues can also interrupt sync. A poor internet connection will prevent the app from communicating with Microsoft servers. An outdated or corrupted user profile may not properly handle cloud data. Furthermore, problems with the Windows Search index can make already-synced drafts fail to appear in your folder view, even though they exist in the cloud.
Steps to Enable and Verify Cloud Draft Sync
Follow these steps to ensure your drafts are saved to the cloud and syncing correctly.
- Open Outlook Settings
Click the gear icon in the top-right corner of the new Outlook window to open the Settings pane. - Navigate to the Drafts Setting
In the Settings pane, select the “General” category. Then, click on “Drafts” from the list of options on the right. - Enable Cloud Saving
Find the toggle switch labeled “Save drafts to the cloud.” Ensure this switch is turned on. The setting takes effect immediately for new drafts. - Verify the Drafts Folder
Close the Settings pane. Look at your folder list in Outlook. You should see a “Drafts” folder under your account name. If you see a “Drafts – This computer only” folder, your old local drafts are still there, but new ones will go to the cloud folder. - Test the Sync
Create a new email, type a few words, and close the message window. Open Outlook on the web in a browser or on your mobile device. Check the Drafts folder there. The draft you just created should appear within a minute.
If the Setting Is Already On
If the cloud drafts setting was already enabled but sync is not working, try these additional steps.
- Repair Your Account
Go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings. Select your Microsoft 365 account and click “Repair.” Follow the prompts to refresh the connection. - Update the Application
Go to Settings > General > Office Preview Features. Click “Check for updates” to install the latest version of the new Outlook. - Clear the Local Cache
Close Outlook. Press Windows key + R, type%localappdata%\Packages\Microsoft.OutlookForWindows_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache, and press Enter. Delete the contents of this folder. Restart Outlook to rebuild the cache.
If Draft Sync Still Fails After Enabling It
Drafts Folder Is Empty on Other Devices
Your internet connection may have been lost when you saved the draft. Check your network status. Open the draft in Outlook for Windows, make a minor edit, and close it again to force a fresh sync attempt. Also, verify you are checking the correct account on your other device.
Outlook Shows “Drafts – This computer only” Folder
This folder contains old drafts saved locally before you enabled the cloud setting. You can move these drafts manually. Drag and drop emails from the “This computer only” folder into the main cloud-based “Drafts” folder. They will then upload to the cloud.
Search Cannot Find a Synced Draft
Windows Search may not have indexed the new cloud data. Open the Windows Start menu, type “Indexing Options,” and open it. Click “Advanced” and then “Rebuild.” This process can take time but will allow Windows to find your Outlook drafts in searches.
Cloud Drafts vs. Local-Only Drafts: Key Differences
| Item | Cloud Drafts (Recommended) | Local-Only Drafts |
|---|---|---|
| Storage location | Drafts folder in your Microsoft 365 mailbox | Hidden file on your PC’s hard drive |
| Access from other devices | Yes, via Outlook on web, mobile, or other PCs | No, only on the original computer |
| Survives PC reset | Yes, data is stored in the cloud | No, data is lost if the local file is deleted |
| Required setting | Save drafts to the cloud enabled in Settings | The cloud setting is turned off |
| Recovery option | Accessible from any device with your account | Requires file recovery software on the local machine |
You can now ensure your email drafts are saved to the cloud and accessible everywhere. Start by checking the toggle in Settings > General > Drafts. If sync issues persist, use the account repair tool to refresh your connection. For advanced control, remember that the new Outlook stores all its local cache in a dedicated folder under your user profile, which can be cleared to resolve stubborn data issues.